If you’re in Spain and have an upcoming appointment at the Immigration Office, you might be interested in what’s happened in Belgium. That country’s immigration offices have detained 68 asylum seekers between January and August 2026, as confirmed by the Belgian government itself.
The information was published by Belgian media outlets such as De Standaard and Le Soir, and the Federal Public Service for the Interior has verified the figures. Most of those detained had already applied for asylum in Belgium or other EU countries. This was not a surprise raid: they were responding to an official summons for their regularization interviews.
The Belgian government justifies the action. It states that the detention of asylum seekers is provided for by law, specifically in Article 74/6 of the Law on Access to the Territory, Residence, and Expulsion of Foreigners. However, this provision applies only after an individual review of each case. When they submit their application, they are given a brochure warning them of this possibility.
The most recent known case occurred on May 21. A 34-year-old Palestinian man was detained and taken to a detention center. The situation is reminiscent of the Conka case, for which Belgium was condemned by the European Court of Human Rights in 2002.
At this time, there is no official information on whether the detainees were subsequently deported or released. Everything is in the hands of the Belgian authorities. If you find yourself in such a situation, be aware that you cannot be detained without being informed of the reasons and your rights.
In Spain, the procedure is different, but it’s important to stay alert. If you have an appointment and something seems off, don’t go alone. And if you’re having trouble with your paperwork, you can contact us.
If you’re having trouble with your appointment or paperwork, message us on Telegram: https://t.me/cita_extranjeria
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